Gone to the Dogs

Mack the WonderDog is a pretty smart boy. He knows a lot more of our language than we do of his. We have to routinely spell things around him and even then, he’s already deciphered O-U-T.

One time he masterminded an ambush of my little poodle’s bowl. He barked at the front door, which made her run to see if there was anything there that required her to yap along with him. Meanwhile, he slipped around the circle in our floorplan to the kitchen corner where he wolfed down the supposedly “superior” food in her dish before she realized he’d set her up. It was a diabolical plan, flawlessly logical and executed with perfect timing.

To be fair, he only fooled her that way once.

Over the years, I’ve had a number of pets–cats, dogs, horses, an assortment of fish and tadpoles and a veritable Methuselah of gerbils. While I’ve loved and enjoyed them all–with the possible exception of the gerbil–I have to confess that dogs are my favorites.

It’s hard to beat their uncritical companionship and they’ve always fallen in with my lifestyle. Even Mack, who according to his breed should be an energetic handful, has learned to snuggle into the writing chair with me for hours at a time and saves his exuberance for when we make our squirrel patrols in the park around our building.

But I know others have different opinions so I’m willing to listen. What do you think? Do you prefer a different sort of pet? Or no pet?

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8 thoughts on “Gone to the Dogs”

Gillian, I love pets too, but sometimes in the past we’ve had too many at once. When we lived in WYO, we had 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 horses. Since we also have 2 daughters, I told my DH he should have been named Noah!

I’d really prefer not to have a pet, but my daughter and husband like dogs. We have a Chorkie (more Yorkie than Chiuaua) named Bear, hehehe. I tolerate him. When my husband is around (he works away from home during the week), Bear pays very little attention to anyone else. My daughter read in one of her dog books that Yorkies think they are bigger than they really are and it is true for Bear. He goes ballistic if he thinks anyone is harming her or when someone comes to the front door.br /My cousin has kitty-litter trained two rabbits and keeps them in her house. I wouldn’t mind a house bunny…maybe.

Jane–My little poodle Susie was a wonderful traveler. She logged many miles under the seat in front of me on airplanes, usually without anyone around me knowing she was there. I still miss her everyday.

Mack weighs 18 pounds–too big for me to lug around, but small enough to make sense in our condo. He’s very snuggly and knows how to behave like a gentleman in the elevator.

Nynke–Cleaning the cage is why I felt less than ecstatic about the gerbil. It’s also why I’m less happy about cats as opposed to dogs. Litter boxes are a pain. I like that my animal knows he’s not supposed to potty in the house. And walking Mack is good for me as well.

We have our little Pomeranian, Gizmo. He is such a wonderful companion and friend. Being our first small dog, we are amazed at how he shows affection for us! We have had him since he was six weeks old and he will be two in April. I just adore him!! He travels everywhere with us always.

We had all kinds of pets when I grew up, and I loved the dogs (especially the one that walked itself!) but I prefer cats. They’re less work and smell better. And I also really love guinea pigs (but I doubt if I’ll ever own one again, since I never liked cleaning their cages).